DeLynn Cline hired for second tenure as Cumberland Gap football coach

Thirteen years ago, DeLynn Cline became the first head football coach at Cumberland Gap. The school was formed in 2003 with the consolidation of Powell Valley and Forge Ridge high schools.

Now Cline who also serves as the school’s athletic director will begin his second stint as head football coach. In his time as head coach, Cline posted a 22-21 overall record in his four years (2003-06) leading the program and the Panthers made three Class 2A playoff appearances (2003, 2005 and 2006).

“Coach DeLynn Cline was our first football coach at Cumberland Gap and it is great to have him back with his experience to lead our football program,” Cumberland Gap principal Linda Keck said.

He has been hired to take over the program again as he replaces Corey Russell who resigned last month after leading the Panther program the last three seasons.

Russell was 3-27 in his three years at Cumberland Gap as the Panthers were winless this season and have a current 18 game losing streak, which is the third longest in the state going into the 2016 season (Goodpasture and Polk County both have 21 game losing streak).

There are 16 schools that are currently looking for a head coach they are: Whitwell, Howard, Gibson County, Sheffield, Dickson County, East Hickman, Jackson North side, East Ridge, Chattanooga Central, CAK, Jackson County, Ravenwood, Sunbright, Sullivan Central, West Creek and Westwood.

Quinton Bohanna commits to WildcatsFor Cordova defensive lineman Quinton Bohanna all it took was a good relationship with the position coach and defensive coordinator at the University of Kentucky. With that, Bohanna committed to the Wildcats and becomes the seventh commitment for coach Mark Stoops in the Class of 2017.

“The relationship I built with the defensive coordinator D.J. Eliot and defensive line coach Jimmy Brumbaugh is the biggest reason I committed,” Bohanna said.

Bohanna (6-3, 300) is coming off a good junior year playing defensive tackle in which he posted 56 total tackles including 13 for loss and five sacks as Cordova finished the year 8-3.

“Quinton Bohanna is an incredible young man and is an extremely hard worker and a true leader for our football program and the Cordova Community,” Cordova head coach Anthony Jones said. “It is truly a blessing for he and his family to be offered by The University of Kentucky and play for an incredible staff and program. He truly deserves all that God has in store for him.”

Bohanna is the third player from the state to commit in the Class of 2017 joining Milan offensive lineman Jacob Rimmer (Duke) and Knoxville Catholic wide receiver Amari Rodgers (Clemson).

Email Donovan at donovans1222@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter at Examine_Stew